President Trump’s China Policy: An Offensive Realist Strategy?

Abstract

Over the years, where the United States’ (US) foreign policy has predominantly propagated ideas towing the liberal line, such as peace and prosperity, stability and security, democracy and defense; the manifestation of these principles have always been conducted through hardcore realist traditions; might makes right, shrewd military dominance and economic strong-arming. Though, the US foreign policy always had a soft tone to it, as if it was serving the greater good. Thus, was overwhelmingly accepted by other states. However, for the first time in history, under President Trump, the US has adopted a foreign policy regime which clearly tows the offensive realist principles, especially vis-à-vis China. Now, the US has adopted ‘economic isolation,’ deliberately instigated a trade-war, opted out of meticulously negotiated multilateral agreements; Trans-Pacific Partnership, Paris Agreement, Iran Nuclear Deal etc., threaten to disband NATO, and purposely escalated tensions with China; which all negate the soul of the liberal world order, which the US promulgated and intends to sustain. This paper shed lights on the foreign policy initiatives undertaken by the Trump regime vis-à-vis China, especially how they negate the preceding US strategies.